This is part 1 of a series designed to help fans better understand the spread option offense.
The spread offense begins with a no-huddle approach with the quarterback in the shotgun formation much of the time. The fundamental nature of the spread offense involves spreading the field horizontally using 3, 4, and even 5-receiver sets (some implementations of the spread also feature wide splits between the offensive linemen). The object of the spread offense is to open up multiple vertical seams for both the running and passing game to exploit, as the defense is forced to spread itself thin across the field (a "horizontal stretch") to cover everyone.
There are many forms of the spread system. One of the extremes is the pass-oriented version typified by Texas Tech, North Texas, Missouri and New Mexico State. This version employs multiple spread sets and is heavily reliant on the quarterback and coaches being able to call the appropriate play at the line of scrimmage based on how the defense sets up.
There are many forms of the spread system. One of the extremes is the pass-oriented version typified by Texas Tech, North Texas, Missouri and New Mexico State. This version employs multiple spread sets and is heavily reliant on the quarterback and coaches being able to call the appropriate play at the line of scrimmage based on how the defense sets up.
The other extreme version is the Spread Option used by West Virginia and Michigan, Oregon, and Appalachian State. Despite the multi-receiver sets, the spread option is a run-first scheme which requires a quarterback that is comfortable carrying the ball, a mobile offensive line that can pull and trap effectively, and receivers that can hold their blocks. The essence of the spread option is misdirection. Effectively, this is the old triple option except that it utilizes spread sets. In particular, the quarterback must be able to read the defensive end and determine whether he is collapsing down the line or playing upfield contain.
A third, rare version of the spread offense is the Pistol Offense which is used by Nevada and some high schools across the nation. The Pistol Offense focuses on using the run with various offensive players, and calls for the quarterback to line up about three yards behind the center and take a short shotgun snap at the start of each play.
The first entry breaks down the "zone read," the most important running play in the spread option offense.
The zone read is considered by most spread offense coaches as the "bread and butter" run play of this offensive system. It's comparable to the buck sweep in the "Wing T"or the ISO in the "I formation."Lets breakdown two important areas of the zone read that make it so effective:
1) The Quarterback "cancelling out" the backside (DE or OLB) line of scrimmage threat
2) Counting the 'numbers' in the box and favoring blocking angles
1. A key component of the shot-gun spread offense is the ability of the quarterback to "cancel out" the backside Defensive End (DE) at the mesh point with the Running Back.
At the critical point where the quarterback has to decide whether to keep the ball or hand it off (the mesh point), the defensive end (or possibly an outside linebacker) responsible for backside contain has to make one of two decisions.
Decision #1 is to crash or knife down the line of scrimmage for the running back
Decision #2 is to "stay home" and box out the quarterback for a potential keep.
If the QB reads decision 1, he keeps it for a backside bootleg run or triple option pitch progression. If the QB reads decision 2, the QB hands it off to the running back (and fakes the bootleg run), thus "cancelling out" or blocking in effect the backside end.
2. One thing the zone read allows is the offense to dictate "numbers" and "angles" during the pre-snap period. This is why 90% of spread offense teams go with a no-huddle. It makes the defense show their hand in regards to alignment, allowing the offense to change the play based on "lucky or ringo," "rip or liz" . . . coaches and player lingo for go 'right or left' with the play.
If the defensive alignment shows more defender to the left (using the centers crotch as the mid-line) in the box, then the call at the line would be "ringo," meaning we're zoning right, thus the QB will be reading the left defensive end on the zone read.
This number is usually a 4 vs. 3 defenders scenario that determines the call. If the numbers are even (say 4 left and 4 right), a lot of coaches teach their quarterback to read the defensive front alignment, looking to run to the "1 technique" tackle side as opposed to the "3 technique" tackle side, looking for better zone blocking angles.
If you don't want to take that path with your quarterback, you can also pick the side in an even defensive alignment scenario based on your team's preference, wide side of the field, or player strength (or a defenders weak side), or audible to the bubble screen if appropriate.
Mastering these two areas of the shot-gun zone read can really go a long way in producing some serious offensive production.
If the QB reads decision 1, he keeps it for a backside bootleg run or triple option pitch progression. If the QB reads decision 2, the QB hands it off to the running back (and fakes the bootleg run), thus "cancelling out" or blocking in effect the backside end.
2. One thing the zone read allows is the offense to dictate "numbers" and "angles" during the pre-snap period. This is why 90% of spread offense teams go with a no-huddle. It makes the defense show their hand in regards to alignment, allowing the offense to change the play based on "lucky or ringo," "rip or liz" . . . coaches and player lingo for go 'right or left' with the play.
If the defensive alignment shows more defender to the left (using the centers crotch as the mid-line) in the box, then the call at the line would be "ringo," meaning we're zoning right, thus the QB will be reading the left defensive end on the zone read.
This number is usually a 4 vs. 3 defenders scenario that determines the call. If the numbers are even (say 4 left and 4 right), a lot of coaches teach their quarterback to read the defensive front alignment, looking to run to the "1 technique" tackle side as opposed to the "3 technique" tackle side, looking for better zone blocking angles.
If you don't want to take that path with your quarterback, you can also pick the side in an even defensive alignment scenario based on your team's preference, wide side of the field, or player strength (or a defenders weak side), or audible to the bubble screen if appropriate.
Mastering these two areas of the shot-gun zone read can really go a long way in producing some serious offensive production.
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